Prairie dogs are a keystone species upon which dozens of other animals, birds, invertebrates, reptiles and plants depend on for survival in their natural ecosystems. But for more than a century their numbers have declined to a scant 2 percent of the original population due to habitat destruction, poisoning, shooting and disease.

Keystone Prairie Dogs is an online conservation project designed to support environmental groups that have done extraordinary work to preserve the five remaining species of prairie dogs and their fragmented habitat across the eleven U.S. states of their historic range.

KPD uses social commentary and political memes to create awareness and bring attention to how misunderstood, vital and unique prairie dogs are in their ecosystems. Prairie dogs don't belong in pet stores, they belong in the wild.This website offers a list of organizations to be supported for their work in protecting and relocating prairie dogs.

Keystone Prairie Dog eBooks are available on Amazon for $9.99, which goes toward supporting prairie dog conservation in the wild. These books are a collection of funny pictures, social commentary and memes on issues of the day ranging from the 2012 presidential election, to climate change and colonizing Mars. Lots of factoids and myth-busting information is included about prairie dogs, which is one of the most ecologically important, but highly misunderstood animals of the Great Plains. The books can be previewed and purchased here.

Keystone Prairie Dogs live in family units, just like people. Their underground homes have separate chambers for a nursery, potty, sleeping and most have a back door.

Each keystone has a distinctly different personality. Some are gregarious and playful, while others are more serious and reserved.

And they talk to each other through body language and a series of vocalizations…some loud, some quiet and some playful…just like people.

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A private collection of Keystone Prairie Dog images are used in the eBook series and for various Prairie Dog Press articles. The messages are environmentally based, depictions of social commentary and political spoofs.